Tunnel toy



.uy 4, 1933. B. CLARK ,917,08

TUNNEL TOY Filed NOV. 13, 19151 @ma fr: veyoz.

Patented July 4, 1933 UN .STATES BARBARA CLARK, (HT-BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS TUNNEL TOY Application filed November 13, 1.931.

This invention relates to a tunnel toy. This toy, when constructed andused in accordance with the principles and directions hereinafter setforth, has great utility and value in the promotion of the properdevelopment of children.

Modern research points to the ,fact that the exercise of crawling hasgreat value in the development of children. Those children who have beenmost proficient in this exercise appear to be stronger and betterdeveloped. The pelvic muscles, especially, are better developed by theuse of four supports as in crawling, than bythe use of two as inwalking.

It is an object 0f my invention to provide a toy which will beattractive to children so that they will use it extensively, and the useof which in an instinctive and natural manner will be of great benefitin the proper development of the child. My invention is capable ofmodification such that its use will be of value in the correction ofcertain deformities of the spine.

The accompanying drawing is a perspective view of one form of myinvention.

In its simplest form, my toy comprises tunnel formed by a bent surface 2which may be of sheet metal or other suitable material. This bentsurface, which forms the curved sides and roof of the tunnel, may besecured to a base or floor 4 in any suitable manner as indicated at 6.When the surface 2 is formed from sheet metal, the edges 8 which formthe ends of the tunnel are bent around curved wires for greater safetyin the avoidance of sharp edges which might otherwise be a source ofinjury. Cr the tunnel may be constructed, for example, of wood and hardrubber.

The exact dimensions of the tunnel will vary somewhat depending upon theage and size of the children for whose use it is primarily intended. Aconvenient size is twenty inches in length, twelve inches in height atthe center of the opening measured from top of base, and twelve inchesin width. These dimensions are, however, given only in an illustrativeand not in a limitingsense, as they may be increased or diminished toadapt the tunnel toy tothe most convenient and suitable use by anaverage child of predetermined age.

It is desirable to provide the tunnel with inclined approaches l0.Crawling up and serial No. 574,791.

down inclined surfaces, and changing from one level to another, isbeneficial to a childs development. ln this case, therefore, the base ofthetunnel is elevated four to six inches, for example. preaches areadvantageously made separately from the tunnel part of the toy, and pro,vided with means for readily attaching and detaching the same, such asthe hooks l2.

The construction of my tunnel toy is sus-l ceptible ofvarious'modifications.

Perforations lei may be provided in the sides of the base 4 throughwhich axles may he carried, and the. tunnel may thus be made convertibleinto a cart.

Actual use of my tunnel toy has demon strated that it has a great appealto children, who use it in a wide variety of ways for which itsstructure peculiarly adapts it. Crawling into a hole is an instinctivebehaviorism in which a child will indulge, and one which should beencouraged by the provision of attractive facilities because of itsvalue. The rounded top of my tunnel is muchk more suit able anddesirable for children to climb and sit upon than, for example, thesharp surface of a horizontal bar. Children will set astride upon thetunnel, wall: the length thereof, climb on and jump olf-all of whichexercises are benelicial to the childs development.

ln the appended claims the phrase conveniently to accommodate is to beunderstood as referring to the accommodation of a child in a crawlingposition.

l claim z- 1. A toy to stimulate crawling comprising` an open tunnelmember of a size conveniently to accommodate a small child, engagingalong two edges thereof a base member presenting a flat floor, andinclined appreaches leading to the floor of the tunnel.

2. A toy comprising an arched tunnel portion of a size conveniently toaccommodate an average child of predetermined age., an elevated licor,inclined approaches leading to either end of the said floor andterminating substantially in the plane thereof, and means for detachablysecuring the approaches to the floor portion of the tunnel.

BARBARA CLARK.

The inclined ap-

